All About Alissa

[Joesitz (RIP)]

No! This is not a film directed by Joe Mankewicz but wouldn't it be interesting to find Alissa in a trenchcoat outside the entrances of the dressing rooms of Michelle and Sasha who don't show up. And there is Addison deWitt looking on at Ms Czisney and saying "This is your chance - don't do anything foolish".

I first saw Alissa in a practice session at Atlanta Nationals. I made a loud joking comment but with more than an ounce of truth in it that This lady (Alissa) could win the Nationals. A nearbye fan looked at me and said, what you see in practice with her you will not see in the competition. She was right. For years, Alissa was not consistent. I was happy to see that she would be in Pittsburgh last year, but again, she was not conisistent. So being a replacement for the divas didn't really set me up for what was to come at Skate America and later, Skate Canada. I was just plain floored. So many people asking 'where did she come from?' 'why have the Americans hidden her?'

The loooong legged and flexxxxible Alissa has been around for a bit and is finally showing what she has. Her coaches - not famous - have given her just what she needs - good technique and a beautiful Bayaderre and a reason to win.

What Alissa has over the other competitors is that she is gracious in her approach to skating. You can't help but root for her even when you had no intention to do so.

The US Nationals is not about 3rd place anymore!! It's about who will be left off the podium. There are 4 possibilities - pick your choice.

Joe

 

[nymkfan51]

I agree Joe ... she has absolutely amazed me. I think if she has a good showing at the GPF, then Kimmie might need to start worrying a bit.
Assuming Michelle and Sasha are healthy for Nationals, I think there is just the one spot open.

 

[jesslily]

I just watched Alissa's short program at Skate Canada. She did a great job. I guess if Kimmie does not put two triple axels in her long program, the third spot should be given to Alissa.

 

[chuckm]

Two triple axels will not win Kimmie the third spot for the Olympics if Alissa skates the way she did at Skate Canada. Alissa got 7s in PCS and Kimmie would be lucky to get all 6s, because it is only Kimmie's jumps that set her apart---the rest of her skating is very ordinary.

The tricky part, of course, is skating well at Nationals, and Alissa's past history has not included great Nationals performances, while Kimmie won Novice and Junior championships two years in a row, and medaled in her first appearance at Senior Nationals.

I guess we will find out in January if Alissa can hold it together when it counts most, but if she does, she may be on her way to Torino.

 

[NJSk8Fan]

Count me as a fan of Alissa's. I thoroughly enjoyed her SP for Skate Canada which I just watched today. I hope she will continue to skate well and have a fantastic season!

 

[millie]

Hi Joe!

True, its about who is going to be left of the podium. I don't it will be Alissa. I think it about who will be following Alissa on the podium, not Alissa trying to make the 3rd. spot. I watched her at Skate Canada and I knew then that she had something special going for her. She is going to be a great contender.

Hey Joe, if I had know that you were going to be at Skate Canada in St.John's, I would have shown you some good ole Newfie Hospitality. Hope you enjoyed your stay.

 

[K-Mo]

Maybe the byline for Nationals should be "Fasten your seatbelts--it's going to be a bumpy night!"

I never really jumped on the Kimmie bandwagon. I thought certainly she had a lot of potential, but that wobbly 3axel was not enough to pull me in. I think she will be one of the ones to watch, but I don't think it's her time yet... I can see Alissa on that podium, though. I think that if she's consistent, she'll be a force to be reckoned with. I don't want to count Bebe out, either. It's going to be a bumpy battle for that third spot, but it should make for some good TV!

 

[RealtorGal]

I think there is the "Good Alissa"--the one who won Skate Canada and took silver at Skate America. Then there is the "Bad Alissa"--the one who crashed and burned at the opening Cheesefest.

The question is, which Alissa will show up to Nationals?

 

[pennyfromheaven]

I am so excited for Alissa! I met her and her sister and father years ago in Detroit. I had several conversations with her dad who related to me how he drove the girls several times a week from Ohio to Detroit to train. I thought that was amazing, they were all so dedicated. I am thrilled to see all the sacrifices and the hard work paying off. Congratulations to the whole Czisny family!!!

 

[nicole_l]

Heh so we have a Dr. Sandhu and Mr. Eman and now a Dr. Cziny and Ms. Alissa.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

I think Alissa will seriously challenge for a spot on the US Olympic team, and if she skates as she did at Skate America and Skate Canada, she may very well be headed for the Olympics.

It should be quite a competition - Michelle, Sasha, Kimmie, and Alissa -- and only three spots!

 

[Jhar55]

Count me in also, I saw her for the first time at Skate America last year and I love her skating. She has improved this year, beign called up last two years for the no shows at last minute and skating as well as she has just shows she works very hard and come prepared. Some might say oh I am not prepared. IMO all skaters need to ne prepared at start for season. Instead of always saying my programs are a work in progress. Yes you can improve with each event but go into them all like you are prepared.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

Her style is something I've never seen. She's sooo fast, and her spins are the best, for being outside of Switzerland.
I was watching SA with my mother, and Alissa's LP brought her to tears.

Maybe that change of boot was all she needed to feel comfortable enough to break out. Or maybe it's just her time.

 

[orchid]

Thanks to all of you who appreciate Alissa's skating. Some of you didn't believe in her a couple of months ago. I am proud for her, she skated so very well at SA & SC.
Is wonderful to have a fresh face and style to enjoy in this Olympic season. Of course, Michelle is my number one favorite, but I am delighted to have another skater to cheer for, for years to come.

She is charming and genuine, I wish her the very best

 

[Kasey]

I think Alissa will seriously challenge for a spot on the US Olympic team, and if she skates as she did at Skate America and Skate Canada, she may very well be headed for the Olympics.

It should be quite a competition - Michelle, Sasha, Kimmie, and Alissa -- and only three spots!

Keep in mind Bebe Liang and Emily Hughes as well....

I would love for Alissa to be "the one to beat" at Nats! She would deserve such a mention after the first two Grand Prix events! Let's hope the boot solved her consistancy problems a bit, and she'll continue on her upward course! What a beautiful and gracious skater!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Hi Joe!Hey Joe, if I had know that you were going to be at Skate Canada in St.John's, I would have shown you some good ole Newfie Hospitality. Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Millie - If I new you were a Newfie, I would have contacted you. BTW, I loved St.Johns. Very lovely and very civilized people. My hotel overlooked the harbor and very nice. I was not up to much skating those last weeks with personal problems but I had paid for the two trips and it was a nice break from reality.

There's no doubt Alissa made the GPF what with 21 points. It will be interesting to see if she can hold her own against the World Champ. If she silver medals at least, the USFSA will be in a dither as to whether to send her or Kimmie to the Olys. They will just have to play it out at US Nationals.

And yes, K-Mo, it will be a bumpy night. Seat belts will snap open if she wins.

Joe

 

[rjulie510]

The question is will Alissa be able to stay in her current form now that she has expectations and pressure from fans and media? She's not exactly known for consistensy afterall.

That being said, she's a lot more complete skater than Kimmie at this point. I would love to see her or Bebe make the olympic team. My one nitpick is as great as her spins are, I don't like how she has to lower her legs to enter donut spins. I think she has enough flexibility and great spin technique that's not necessary. (That's what I like about Irina's donut: she grabs her legs right away.)

 

[Mathman]

Actually, Bebe received fairly decent program component scores at Skate America. She put herself out of the running with falls on her jumps. But the judges do not seem to be holding her spunky style against her.

I also hope that Amber Corwin pulls it together. A disastrous start to the season so far, but she still could be a factor at nationals if the youngsters succumb to nerves.

MM

 

[dizzydi7]

About Alissa....

I'm very impressed with Alissa's skating. She truly is lovely, graceful, flexible, as well as an awesome spinner. Alissa brings something special and unique to her skating. In that respect, I prefer her skating to Kimmie's. If she continues her consistency, there is no doubt she will be a contender for the Olympic team.

In my opinion, Kimmie has been done a great injustice with all the hype she has received. Outside of being a great jumper, she really doesn't have that special something that, IMHO, makes her special. Right now, Kimmie is just another female skater who has exceptional jumping ability. Kimmie is young and may eventually develop great presentation. After all, Irina did it!

Dizzy

 

[Mathman]

I'm very impressed with Alissa's skating. She truly is lovely, graceful, flexible, as well as an awesome spinner. Alissa brings something special and unique to her skating. In that respect, I prefer her skating to Kimmie's. If she continues her consistency, there is no doubt she will be a contender for the Olympic team.

In my opinion, Kimmie has been done a great injustice with all the hype she has received. Outside of being a great jumper, she really doesn't have that special something that, IMHO, makes her special. Right now, Kimmie is just another female skater who has exceptional jumping ability. Kimmie is young and may eventually develop great presentation. After all, Irina did it!

One thing to keep in mind is that Alissa is 18, while Kimmie just turned 16 last month. Alissa has been steadily developing her skills under the radar for some time. Until this year no one (except Orchid, LOL) really predicted that Alissa would reach the top, precisely because she was not a little jumping bean at 14 or 15.

I do, however, expect Kimmie to handle the pressure just fine. She has long been heralded as "one to watch" and has acheived a lot of success and attention as a junior.

MM